Additional Coverage:
- New York Gov. Hochul declares state of emergency in response to Long Island brush fires (foxnews.com)
Long Island Brush Fires Prompt State of Emergency
New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for Suffolk County on Saturday due to rapidly spreading brush fires. The fires, which began in Center Moriches around 1 p.m., quickly spread to East Moriches, Eastport, and Westhampton. While the first three fires are now extinguished, the Westhampton fire remains 50% contained.
Multiple state agencies, including the National Guard, are battling the blaze. Four National Guard helicopters are performing water drops, with a C-130 aircraft providing aerial monitoring.
Additional support is being provided by drones, traffic management teams, and various personnel. The State’s Office of Emergency Management, Office of Fire Prevention and Control, Department of Transportation, Department of Environmental Conservation, State Parks, and the New York State Police are all involved in the response.
“We are deploying resources as quickly as possible,” Governor Hochul stated, adding that agencies, the National Guard, and State Police have been mobilized to provide air and ground support. The Governor also expressed concern about air quality and urged residents to monitor emergency alerts and prepare for potential evacuations. 100,000 N95 masks will be distributed to the affected area Sunday morning.
One firefighter sustained burns to the face and was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital, but is reportedly doing well. Two commercial buildings were damaged by the flames. While residents are not currently in immediate danger, officials advise those in the vicinity to be prepared for possible evacuations.
The cause of the initial fire is under investigation, but strong winds are believed to have contributed to its rapid spread. Wind gusts of up to 40 mph are anticipated through Sunday evening, further fueling the risk of wildfire development. Conditions are expected to improve slightly next week with increased humidity and reduced wind speeds.